Mayors Optimistic About Cities’ ‘Transitional Moment’

Pittsfield and North Adams are each "designing a city for the future."

The Berkshire Eagle reports that sentiment from Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer encapsulated the overwhelmingly positive outlook — albeit with recognition of the challenges that lie ahead — that she and North Adams

Mayor Thomas Bernard shared Thursday night for Berkshire County's two cities, during a conversation at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts hosted by The Berkshire Eagle.

The event was the third in The Eagle's Conversation Series, moderated by Eagle Executive Editor Kevin Moran and intended to glean insight into the mayors' perspectives on the future of their cities.

Pittsfield and North Adams have recently experienced economic growth and investment, and the mayors highlighted their city's respective assets — including a shared proximity to New York and Boston, an abundance of outdoor recreation, and an affordable and growing housing market.

"It has a little bit of everything and something for everyone," Tyer said of Pittsfield.

Bernard recalled a city employee's recent description of North Adams as having a "small, urban weirdness."

And in either city, you can be at a museum or hiking on a trail in the same day.

But despite recent gains, both cities continue to face challenges.

Bernard highlighted the financial realities that North Adams has come up against.

The mayors also addressed the high rates of reported violent crime in both cities, saying that they take the issue seriously but cautioning against over-reliance on the data.